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Beer & BBQ Pairings

From Dave the Beer Guy - some great beers to go with some of your favourite BBQ-ed foods! Click on the food for a recipe, or just read Dave's awesome recommendations!

Bacon Cheeseburger: Will pair great with any of these three beers - all have a common amber colour and character, so the slightly malty toffee-like character brings out the best in bacon and charred bbq flavours, and the refreshing bite on the finish makes the beer quenching thanks to our friend hops. Top beers to try:

Parallel 49 Gypsy tears Ruby Ale

Granville Island Swing Span

Okanagan Springs Cloudy Amber.

Steak (with tasty steak marinade): So we are looking at sweet, peppery and possibly Vinous flavours - This is a choice that could go any direction, but I would go with an amazing English style brew: the Extra Special Bitter. It sounds scary, but it is one of the most balanced beers out there. Its malt and hop flavours are almost synchronized, so this beer all in all will make all of the hidden marinated jazz dance on your tongue. Top beers to try:

Charlevoix La Vache Folle ESB

Picaroons ESB.

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs: This is all about one of my favourite new styles - the White IPA. This beer has a non stop wow factor, it is tropically fruity from the hops and wheat malt, and sharp with a razors edge bitter attack that is welcomed by a zap of Coriander spice - I think it is straight forward why this will work. Top beers to try:

Phillips Electric Unicorn

Deshutes Chainbreaker

Corn on the cob with herb butter: This is best paired with a cream ale - being that a cream ale is a beer labelled a session ale. Very smooth and easy, yet the even flavours can still wake up when paired with buttery herbal and pepper flavours. Go with a traditional cream ale. Top beers to try:

Tool Shed People Skills

Muskoka Cream Ale

Laughing dog Huckleberry cream Ale

Bratwurst on a bun with sauerkraut: Hey, pair it with a German Hefeweizen - this is a traditional pairing because they where meant to be together. The sweet banana clove character from the wheat malt and barley plays together in a suspended cloud of yeasty goodness. there is however an acidity that plays a great part in bringing the kraut to life. You can go two ways with this: